Warm and welcoming aren’t two words usually used to describe hospitals. But patients at the Gold Coast Private Hospital enjoy an atmosphere more like a boutique hotel than a healthcare facility.

As a raft of research points to the health benefits of daylight and leafy views, dwp places patient care at the heart of its design. Stress-relieving respite spaces have been carefully crafted to ensure relaxation aids recovery The hospital’s clever design can accommodate future expansion as the Gold Coast grows, with further stages of the building simply ‘plugged in’ to the existing structure.

BIM was used from the outset on this project. Collaborating closely with the contractor and consultant team, models were regularly exchanged and coordinated to a high level of detail which provided the contractor confidence to be able to arrange steel fabrication and façade earlier in the schedule allowing an accelerated construction programme which resulted in delivering the project ahead of schedule and with only 1%variations and the number of RFIs were reduced by approx. 80% to a comparable project.

We were able to use Citrix to allow a team located in 3 geographies to work in the fully integrated model, managed by a full-time model manager.

The new Macquarie University Sydney City Campus (MUSCC) at Angel Place in Sydney’s CBD provides premium teaching facilities for the University’s Schools of Finance and Management.

Like many educational facilities, flexibility is a high requirement; the new campus provides flexible spaces across formal and informal teaching and student hub zones. dwp achieved this by colocating various spaces together, providing movable writable surfaces/walls, and selecting flexible furniture throughout.

From the point of arrival through to the teaching spaces, areas are linked through a series of striking ceiling panels and floor treatments. These ceilings are a standout feature, providing a subtle interpretation of Macquarie University through the built form. Diamond shaped panels and lighting are chosen to reflect significant symbols relating to the history of Macquarie University.

‘Study at RMIT’ is the gateway building to the dispersed RMIT city campus, where prospective local and international students apply to study at the University. It is located on one of the most prominent corners in Melbourne’s CBD, across the road from the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne Central Station and the under construction Library Station.

The $7m project is a showcase for RMIT to engage with the public and industry partners and located within the first two floors of the 1912 Singer sewing factory building. The existing fabric of the building was largely disguised and dwp architects and interiors designers sought to peel back the layers of subsequent renovations to expose the beauty of the original building. Layers of plaster were removed to expose the redbrick internally and mirrored window reveals act to draw the activity of the outside in while enhancing the sense of space and light. An inviting entry was created through the seamless flow of pavers from outside in, to a double height void. The entrance is flanked by a full height digital immersive wall allowing RMIT to digitally curate to potential students. The lower level is dedicated to student engagement whilst the upper level provides much needed improved amenity for staff. The theatricality of the new volumes is a great foil for not only the work of RMIT but also a selection of artworks from the University’s significant collection – many of which are of aboriginal origin.

Our team worked with RMIT to develop the right strategy to unlock the embedded value of the project to the degree to which the planning & design solution is able to create a highly engaging, iconic, accessible and digital experience for students and visitors.

Located on a significant site within the campus, ANU’s College of Engineering & Computer Science and the Mathematical Sciences Institute faculty is collocated with a major industry partner.

The building form references the University’s original Winston masterplan through alignment and form. Two wings connect in a central entry atrium in which a sculptural timber stair links five levels of contemporary collaborative and teaching spaces.

The result is an innovative hybrid of workplace, teaching and student hub, that supports collaboration between disciplines and encourages agile teamwork. The building reflects ANU’s status as an international leader in these fields.

In collaboration with our affiliate partner Clarke Keller.

Margaret Cribb Early Learning at the University of Queensland (UQ) is founded upon the Reggio Emilia approach, an educational philosophy in which environment is crucial, even referred to as the third teacher.

dwp has created a world class education facility for 154 children, using eight kilometres of recycled timber as the external façade and bespoke windows to reflect the natural landscape; transforming the building into a public art installation. The soft timber and neutral fit out create a canvas of creativity for the children that reinforces the underlying philosophy of the centre. The result is contemporary, cutting edge design that contributes positively as an entry statement to the St Lucia campus and also to UQ’s standing as global education centre of excellence.

UQ believes great amenities, like childcare facilities, attract good staff, academics and students. Everyone feels supported including an endangered species of bird that had been nested right in the middle of site. Everyone (including the bird who is doing just fine) agrees: The Margaret Cribb Early Learning is a resounding success.

The design of the Eric Tweedale Stadium is driven by the stadium’s connection to the local environment and history of the Cumberland Plains. Located within Granville Park, once a widely forested area, its form and materiality respond to the site’s heritage and create a connection to its current sporting environment.

The Stadium includes a grandstand with change rooms, a multipurpose room, first-floor function space, a commercial kitchen, and an outdoor viewing deck. The glulam roof cantilevers over eight meters above the seating, creating a simple yet impactful and beautiful form, also gives historical reference to the forest that once dominated the site. The use of a mass timber structure in the Stadium is the first use of glulam timber for this type of facility in Australia, representing an impressive achievement in timber engineering. Sustainable design was an important objective of the project and timber construction was key to achieving this – low carbon, low waste, and high energy efficiency.

The Granville Centre designed for Cumberland Council is a project borne through close consultation between client and community. The building and community spaces are located in the heart of Granville in Western Sydney, and encompasses a range of community and civic spaces including a library and training centre, a regional art gallery, multipurpose performance space and workshop facilities. The layout and interconnectedness of these spaces were a result of a combination of sustainable and social strategies that created a holistic solution.

The Granville Centre also has connection to the Granville Swimming Pool, recreational courts and playground.

The Granville Centre is located on the south edge of Memorial Park in the centre of Granville. This location allows the centre to be situated where the community can gain easy access to the Centre, but also easily connect to the existing Granville Swimming Pool to the south and west. To the North-West, the centre is more directly in contact with Memorial Drive and Enid Avenue giving the civic presence to the corner of two streets with its double height library space.
The massing of the building follows the direction of the streetscape and retains the existing Memorial Park, which is a community icon.
The new building was carefully considered with a series of studies and stakeholder briefings undertaken to establish the optimum strategy to deliver the client’s brief and quality objectives.
The configuration of Memorial Park and existing location of War Memorial determined the envelope and placing of the community centre.
The Granville centre’s north facade opens to the Park with a public Plaza in front of the main entry. The landscape steps gradually down to the East and towards Duck Creek.
The composite spatial flow, as experienced by the public, moves from North to South, from the public plaza to the entry and carpark at the south end: through a high vertical volume of the entrance foyer, along an internal street where access is given to; Library, Art Gallery and Pool, Multi Purpose Hall, Co-Lab (Music, Video, Recording and Production rooms) and Meeting Spaces
The internal street runs through the site and takes the community on a journey through the building promoting community interaction and pedestrian movement.

The internal street’s meandering ceiling is a public artwork completed for this project by Leanne Watson, Leanne Tobin and Shay Tobin, Darug artists. The panels that move through the foyer represent 6 seasons within the aboriginal culture.

The sheltering roof on the north facade provides a sanctuary from rain and sun whilst allowing spaces beyond to still have indoor-outdoor connection. The openness of the interior also corresponds with semi-transparent facade through floor to ceiling glazing and additional internal textile layer (window blinds) further diffuses the daylight while still preserving the view out to Memorial Park.

dwp saw the opportunity to design The Granville Centre as the central hub for the local community. It is a place of curiosity, a place where people go for a reason but also where they can chance upon something else that grabs their attention – music, art, knowledge, education.

The History of the site and its heritage became the overriding architectural and landscape theme. The importance of different uses of the site over its history including: tweed manufacturing, yarn making, brick making and location for one of the first 4 Olympic sized pools in Sydney, runs through the concept for the building shape, layout and materiality.

The selection of materials, their textures, layering and tactile perception emerged from community consultations and were embedded into the facade with a selection of colours, warm tones and soft textures that are intended to create a sense of inclusion, comfort and wellbeing.

The Granville Centre project showcases an open, inviting building which has already become a focal point and the heart of Granville.

Netball is the highest female participation sport in Australia, playing an important role in bringing together communities. Our design accommodates grassroots to elite level, meeting Netball WA’s vision for a holistic approach to the growth and development of the sport. This flagship development reflects its status as a state level, elite sporting facility; hosting the largest junior netball competition in West Australia and the elite West Coast Fever team. The facility has four international standard indoor courts, elite level change and training facilities, Netball WA administrative offices, catering and function spaces, gym and support facilities.

The architectural concept sees the large volume of the sports courts wrapped with a sculpted shroud, providing a varied experience as users move around the building. Each elevation responds to its orientation and program, with the south and south east opened up to create shelter for users. The west facade has segmented surfaces which articulate the entry point and building statement from Selby Street. The total site offers more than 40 outdoor courts, an inviting public plaza, plus car parking. With flexibility of use maximised, the centre can also be configured to have five volleyball courts or ten badminton courts.

The Shirley Burke theatre inspires talented artists and performers from around the country to bring their work to this bayside suburb and surrounding community. The inspiration for the lightbox facade was drawn from art deco imagery including classical images of cabaret theatre including spotlights and can-can dancers with fishnet tights and stilettos.

The interior respects the existing features including vaulted ceilings and feature timber walls, and the gallery spaces have a neutral palette to allow for art installations, furniture and people to take centre stage. The refurbished amenities provide a splash of colour reflecting the art deco period that inspired the overall design.

Other restoration works included the construction of a new bar, kiosk and box office and refurbishment of performance spaces. The upgraded theatre seats 167 people and a new multi use studio space has been added. A street front gallery space is an exciting addition to the building that will host new media works. The project was supported by the City of Kingston and the Victorian Government, through Arts Victoria.

dwp’s redevelopment of this popular centre focused on the delivery of sustainable fitness areas and water training facilities; including a gym, an outdoor 50m lap and polo pool, indoor warm water exercise pool and wet facilities. The warm water pool is suitable for rehabilitation, wellness programs and learn-to-swim programs. Health and fitness areas include an 800sqm gymnasium and 500sqm of flexible program space.

Recreational facilities typically use large amounts of energy and water. dwp’s design minimises the use of both by insulating the pool shell and incorporating solar panels, high performance glazing, external shading and an integrated rainwater harvesting system. The old, existing pool shell is cleverly reused to house the plant room. Indoor air quality and user health benefit from selective natural ventilation and night purging.

A welcoming cafe and crèche encourage socialising and ensure friendly access for families. Set in a sports park precinct, the materials and architectural form relate strongly to the local context reflecting the centre’s status as the precinct gateway.

As Australia’s ageing population grows, so does the needs for complex aged care and support for people living with dementia.

dwp’s innovative solution presents five care wings catering for people with dementia, those with low and high care needs, as well as spaces for service facilities.

Internal courtyards foster immediate visual and physical connections to nature, complementing Bupa’s gardening and outdoor activities programs. The gentle and calming ambience in the outdoor spaces encourages ambling in a non-institutional setting.